Testimonials

Here's what people are saying about Penkhull Village Brass:

 

Light Up A Life Ceremony - December 2019

 

Morning Gary,

 

I hope yourself and your fellow brass band members are all well.

 

Thank you so much for giving up your time and performing at the Light Up A Life ceremony in December. I’m so disappointed that I was unable to be there as I have heard such great feedback about the ceremony.

 

The Light Up A Life campaign 2019 has raised an amazing £120,904 with over 3,500 people remembering around 8,000 loved ones by dedicating a light on the Dougie Mac Christmas tree. Thank you for the part you all played in making this possible, we are so grateful for your support.

 

Light Up A Life 2020 will be open from early October for donating and dedicating a light in remembrance of our loved ones this Christmas.

 

Kind Regards

Vicki

Individual Giving Fundraiser

Vicki Fenton (Miss)

on behalf of Douglas Macmillan Hospice

Portmeirion Village Concerts - 22nd May 2019

 

Hi !

A group of us, who have been work friends for some 30+ years were spending a weekend in Snowdonia last weekend.  The occasion was to celebrate one of the group's upcoming 60th birthday.

On Sunday we were having lunch at the Portmeirion Hotel.  While meandering through the gardens to the hotel we heard you playing, what a truly lovely experience and what a talented, versatile band you are.  One of the group wandered off to see if you would be willing to play 'Happy Birthday' for our friend Jean.  You were happy to oblige and Jean was surprised, emotional and mesmerised by your rendition.  She really was taken by surprise.  Thank you very much for making her day.  Diolch yn fawr iawn!  All the very best to you all for the future.

 

Rhian Evans - Portmeirion Village Visitor

So-Sew W.I. Regional Meeting - 10th April 2019

 

Hi Penkhull Village Brass

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for playing at our W.I. Group Meeting last week, this was the first time our W.I. hosted the event and we have received some excellent feedback from the evening.

Please see comments below from one of the members of Brown Edge W.I.:

"Penkhull Brass were a splendid welcome and after their accompaniment, Jerusalem will never sound as uplifting to me again!"

Thank you for especially learning Jerusalem for us, it was a perfect touch to the evening and made the event that extra bit special. It just goes to show that we have a great community spirit in Penkhull.

If you ever need our help for any events, making cakes, tea/coffee stand, etc... we would be happy to help - just let us know :)

 

Thanks again,

Amanda

So-Sew W.I.

Stoke Minster Concert - 22nd September 2018

On Saturday night at Stoke Minster I had a glorious musical experience, seeing Penkhull Village Brass.  It really was the best brass band I have ever seen, very modern and not like the usual brass bands, practising the same test pieces for competitions.

This was more like a big dance or concert band.  It had a swinging drummer and the three tubas played proper bass figures.  There were 30 members of all ages and genders and the music was arranged in a modern style.

The material played included Sir Duke, by Stevie Wonder, a Beatles Medley and a Village People megamix, where three of the younger members came out and did the appropriate dancing.  All the ensemble wore the various hats.

So it was very entertaining, musical and creative and the broad repertoire appealed to the very diverse audience! - Lee Slater

University Hospital Choir Sings Christmas - 9th December 2017

 

Dear Gary and all at Penkhull Village Brass,

Thank you so much being so fabulous at Saturday’s concert with University Hospital Choir at Swan Bank.

 

The pieces you chose were perfect for the occasion and executed brilliantly, as ever.  You gave us a wonderful accompaniment for the audience Carols and were fantastic with the pieces where you were working with the choir (including the tinsel poles) with hardly any joint rehearsal at all.  It showed just how flexible and quick on the uptake you are – very impressive.

 

We’ve never had such prolonged applause or a standing ovation before and I know so much of that was down to your playing, presentation and interaction. 

 

It was a delight having you with us.  Thank you so much.

 

Very best wishes for your own concert on Saturday, which I know from experience will be just as fabulous.  I’m gutted I can’t  be with you as it’s our own choir Christmas do, but I know people will tell me what a great time they had with you.

 

Thank you all again and may I wish you a very happy Christmas,

 

Sue xx

St Mary's Church Bucknall - 30th September 2017

 

Just wanted to say a massive thank you from myself & Chris for being part of our wedding on Saturday.  All the guests commented on the band and the wonderful music that was being played - thank you once again x

 

Tracy

Stoke Minster Concert - 16th September 2017

 

Basil Hoover - "From the Tudor to the new millennium it was a musical time travel escapade highlighting what a brilliant band PVB are. We finished transported to a 70's disco and left through the Minster doors beaming and boogieing!"

 

Sue Ann Charles - "Another great night with PVB, they get better with every concert. Fab playlist, fab playing.  Thanks for a smashing evening's entertainment."

30th Birthday Music Festival, Denford

Saturday 10th June 2017

 

Hi Gary - WOW! Saturday was absolutely incredible! Everyone loved you guys! We knew they would but you went off with a complete bang! Hope you guys enjoyed it too. Thank you so much to you & everyone in the band for really making our party a day we'll never forget. I'm so happy we found you! You were everything we hoped for and more.  Thanks also for everything along the way.  You have been a pleasure to work with. I'll most definitely be recommending you in the future & hopefully finding an excuse to book you again! You guys are brilliant and we wish you every success.

 

Laura & Adam (aka LA1)

Lord Mayor's 'Sporting SOUL of the CITY' Charity Ball - Friday 25th November 2016

 

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress (Councillor Anthony Mundy and Mrs Paula Mundy) would like to take this opportunity to thank you warm heartedly for your essential contribution towards making this year's charity ball a great success and helping to raise money for Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation, The Macari Foundation and North Staffordshire Heart Committee.

We have received excellent customer feedback and many congratulations for such a wonderful evening.  This is a testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of the people involved on the night.  It was clear that our guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

I would like to thank you personally for your involvement and look forward to working with you again.  Happy Christmas and all the best for 2017.

Kind regards

Michaleen Hilton

Lord Mayor's Office

King's Christmas Market - 20th November 2016

 

natalie_lowndesI can not tell you how much Alfie enjoyed the brass band at the King's hall market yesterday.  He almost exploded with excitement and the band were so lovely with him, showed him the instruments, played extra songs outside for him even though it was freezing cold. (Ed - see photo gallery)

His favourite instrument was the tuba but he was shocked at the size of it, he's only seen them on YouTube before now!  After we got home he chatted on his device about it for hours, too cute.  Thank you so much, you really made a good impression!

Alfie was still signing for more when we got in the car and once we got home he wrote 'tenor horn, trumpet, Tilly tuba' on his communication device.  He's still smiling about it today and has told his class at school all about you! 

Hanley Cenotaph - Sunday 13th November
 
Hello Mike
 
I would once again like to take the opportunity to thank Penkhull Village Brass for the honour of assisting you at the Hanley Remembrance Service today. I/We were very impressed with the professionalism and polish you all exhibited, the music that you played was wonderfully and masterfully handled. 
 
Wishing you all the best, both for any future events for Penkhull Village Brass and also personally for the fast approaching festive season.
 
Kindest Regards Ian Hissey (Baritone Representative at Audley Male Voice Choir)
 
P.S. Say Hi to Hans for me, and I'm already trying to come up with fresh names in case you run that competition again!

Queen's 90th Birthday Tea Party - 27 June 2016

 

Dear Gary and all at Penkhull Brass Band

On behalf of the Lord Mayor of the City of Stoke-on-Trent, thank you for your assistance in staging another memorable event for the City.

We have already received calls from many who attended.  The guests had a lovely time and the City Council and Lord Mayor were extremely proud of this event.

The Lord Mayor has asked me to thank the band and we look forward to working with you again.

Many thanks

Michaleen Hilton

 

Lord Mayor's Office

Staffordshire Day - 13 May 2016

 

Dear Gary

I wanted to write to say thank you very much for all of your hard work at our event. We were all really pleased with how well the day went and thought that your music really added to the atmosphere. Please can you pass on our thanks to the band.

Although we expected it to be busy we broke a record - 1,317 visitors - the most we have ever had on a single day!

Thank you very much for working so hard to make it a great event.

Best wishes

Nerys

 

Nerys Williams ACIM - Audience Development Officer

Gladstone Pottery Museum

Penkhull Lights Switch on - 7th December 2015

 

Dear Gary

 

Thank you for the enormous contribution made by you and Penkhull Village Brass to the success of the Outdoor Carol Service held in Penkhull Churchyard. The playing was brilliant and ensured that everyone could enjoy singing along with the well-known carols. For many, it would be their only chance to do that during the Advent/Christmas Season.

Please convey the thanks of Rev Chris Rushton and all who were present, to the band members for giving up their time and helping to make the Service so memorable.

 

Best wishes,

Mike Whittaker - Ministry Team

 

Friends of Penkhull Village Hall event - 17th November 2015

 

Hi Gary

 

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and the band for two splendid performances at Sunday's Beach Party.  I'm always impressed with the sound you make and it's good to hear the repertoire expanding so rapidly.

It was so good of you all to give up your day and I hope you had as much fun as we all did.

The day was a great success, with lots of people signing up to be Friends and signing the petition.  If any of your supporters want to sign up they can do so at the community cafe on Thursdays or use the link on our facebook page.

Thanks again, looking forward to the Christmas concert!

 

Sue Pantin

Penkhull Village Hall

Registered Charity

Number 1169202

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